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{{Infobox football club | {{Infobox football club | ||
| clubname = Grassrunners FC | | clubname = Grassrunners FC | ||
Revision as of 19:10, 3 November 2026
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Template:Infobox football club
Grassrunners FC is a Nigerian football club based in Sagamu, Ogun State. Founded in 2024, the club participates in Nigerian domestic competitions which includes the Nigeria Nationwide League, the N-Youth League and the Gold Cup Preseason Tourney.[1][2][3]
The club’s administrative office is in Sagamu, while its training camp is located in Ikenne, Ogun State.
Grassrunners FC won the 14th Ogunjobi Gold Cup Preseason Tournament in August 2026, in their first appearance in the competition. During the 2025/26 football season, the club also reached the final of the Nigeria Youth League Cup, finishing as runners-up.[4][5][6]
History
Grassrunners Football Club was established in 2024 in Ogun State, Nigeria.[7]
In August 2024, the club appointed Paul Offor as its head coach on a three-year contract. Offor had previously managed Sporting Lagos, guiding the club from the Nigeria National League to the Nigeria Premier Football League and at the time mutually parted ways with Kano Pillars FC. Offor will go on to lead the club in its maiden appearance in the Nationwide League One.[8]
In July 2025, after Offor left the club to join Akwa United, Grassrunners appointed former Shooting Stars Head coach and former Nigeria international Edith Olumide Agoye as head coach. Agoye signed a three-year contract, with his appointment taking effect on 1 August 2025.[9][7]
Nigeria Youth League Cup
Grassrunners competed in the 2025-26 Nigeria Youth League Cup reaching the Super 8 stage and subsequently advancing to the final where it lost to Sporting Supreme .
Grassrunners forward Abdoulaye Agbejoye emerged as joint top scorer alongside Habeeb Adewusi. Agbejoye was also named the tournament's best player.[10][11][12]
Ogunjobi Gold Cup
Grassrunners participated in the 14th Ogunjobi Gold Cup, a Nigerian pre-season tournament, in August 2026. The club made its debut in the competition and remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.
Grassrunners defeated Inter Lagos 2–0 during the group stage and moved to the top of the competition standings.
In the semi-final, Grassrunners defeated Sunshine Stars 3–1 to reach the final, with Agbejoye Papi scoring twice and Adeola Fadel adding the third goal.
The final was played against Abakaliki FC at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on 22 August 2026. Grassrunners won 3–0 to claim the tournament.
The victory gave Grassrunners its first major tournament title. The club's coach, Daniel Itodo, subsequently dedicated the victory to the players and praised their performance during the competition.[5][4]
2026–27 squad
Below is the squad registered for the 2026–27 N-Youth League Cup season.[13]
Current squad
| No. | Player | Date of birth | Height | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Ahmod Shuiab Shola | 10 September 2007 | 188 cm | 75 kg | GK |
| 40 | Nwanzi Gideon Chidera | 19 May 2009 | 182 cm | 68 kg | GK |
| 45 | Chiemela Godswill | 28 November 2009 | 184 cm | 84 kg | GK |
| 39 | Awe Seyi | 31 July 2009 | 185 cm | 71 kg | GK |
| 16 | Agbejoye Mark Olamilekan | 8 May 2008 | 188 cm | 81 kg | CB |
| 74 | Ogunrombi Boris | 5 April 2009 | 191 cm | 86 kg | CB |
| 31 | Labode Faroukou Abdullahi | 10 August 2008 | 197 cm | 86 kg | CB |
| 6 | Agbejoye Folly Bernard | 18 December 2008 | 191 cm | 75 kg | CB |
| 8 | Fatai Olawale | 4 April 2009 | 179 cm | 73 kg | CM |
| 18 | Morou Isilam | 5 December 2009 | 181 cm | 77 kg | DM |
| 81 | Ajuwon Baki Akande | 9 July 2010 | 170 cm | 62 kg | DM |
| 53 | Adetunji Daniel Ademola | 15 December 2009 | 184 cm | 76 kg | DM |
| 27 | Nwokoma Chukwuebuka Fiz-patrick | 27 March 2010 | 183 cm | 66 kg | DM |
| 25 | Adam Gafaru | 1 December 2009 | 182 cm | 70 kg | DM |
| 14 | Yunusa Muhideen Olayinka | 28 January 2009 | 169 cm | 64 kg | AM |
| 20 | Abdulwahab Abdulbasit Opeyemi | 10 July 2009 | 180 cm | 71 kg | AM |
| 28 | Fatai Usman Daramola | 8 November 2011 | 172 cm | 62 kg | AM |
| 17 | Yekini Abdullahi | 21 May 2011 | 171 cm | 61 kg | LB |
| 87 | Okorafor Richard Ebuka | 19 March 2010 | 177 cm | 65 kg | LB |
| 3 | Samsudeen Isiaq Alabi | 14 September 2008 | 172 cm | 68 kg | LB |
| 13 | Lawrence Elvis | 27 July 2009 | 177 cm | 74 kg | LB |
| 12 | Isiayei Shammah Edieni | 9 April 2007 | 177 cm | 71 kg | RB |
| 2 | Nwose Emmanuel Bamiyei | 18 June 2008 | 173 cm | 69 kg | RB |
| 11 | Ajibola Emmanuel Adeola | 28 August 2009 | 184 cm | 67 kg | LW |
| 32 | Mohammed Abdulatif | 2 December 2009 | 178 cm | 63 kg | LW |
| 23 | Adesanya Mosses Ogooluwa | 11 November 2012 | 179 cm | 65 kg | LW |
| 15 | Ubi Sylvarnus Johnson | 1 July 2010 | 175 cm | 79 kg | RW |
| 22 | Mousa Sadath | 20 January 2010 | 183 cm | 77 kg | RW |
| 76 | Labode Giovanni | 30 April 2020 | 173 cm | 62 kg | RW |
| 42 | Tijani Habeeb Adeshina | 11 January 2010 | 172 cm | 65 kg | RW |
| 7 | Adelabu Timileyin Anuoluwa | 15 December 2007 | 177 cm | 68 kg | RWF |
| 36 | Onu Nzubechukwu Joseph | 1 May 2010 | 197 cm | 85 kg | CF |
| 24 | Emelobe Chidozie Fortune | 27 May 2010 | 186 cm | 76 kg | CF |
| 5 | Abiodun Olasheni Abdulmumeen | 14 January 2009 | 188 cm | 77 kg | CF |
| 29 | Lasisi Musa Olusegun | 25 May 2009 | 185 cm | 73 kg | CF |
| 75 | Adeola Fadel Akani | 1 June 2008 | 193 cm | 75 kg | CF |
| 33 | Atchikpa Juste Jordane | 18 April 2009 | 179 cm | 77 kg | CF |
| 50 | Agbejoye Papi Adeola | 8 December 2007 | 189 cm | 80 kg | CF |
Positions: GK = goalkeeper; CB = centre-back; CM = central midfielder; DM = defensive midfielder; AM = attacking midfielder; LB = left-back; RB = right-back; LW = left winger; RW = right winger; RWF = right wing-forward; CF = centre-forward.
- ↑ Adesanya, Taiwo (2026-01-20). "NLO: Dosu joins Grassrunners FC as goalkeeper trainer" (in en-US). https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/20/nlo-dosu-joins-grassrunners-fc-as-goalkeeper-trainer/.
- ↑ Reporter, Our (2026-08-21). "Gold Cup Final: Grassrunners, Abakaliki FC clash in Abeokuta" (in en-US). https://thenationonlineng.net/gold-cup-final-grassrunners-abakaliki-fc-clash-in-abeokuta/.
- ↑ "N-Youth League Cup" (in en). https://www.nylc.ng/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fasetire, Sam O'Femi (2026-08-24). "Grassrunners FC's Coach Daniel Itodo Dedicates Ogunjobi Gold Cup Victory To His 'Hardworking Players'" (in en-US). https://www.sports247.ng/grassrunners-fcs-coach-daniel-itodo-dedicates-ogunjobi-gold-cup-victory-to-his-hardworking-players/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Grassrunners Beat Abakaliki 3-0 to Win Ogunjobi Gold Cup | Africa Sport Network". https://www.africasport.net/article/football/grassrunners-fc-crowned-ogunjobi-gold-cup-champions-after-3-0-final-win.
- ↑ SPORTS, BSN. "Grassrunners Defeat Abakaliki FC To Emerge Ogunjobi Gold Cup 14th Edition Champions". https://bsnsports.com.ng/post/-Grassrunners-Defeat-Abakaliki-FC-To-Emerge-Ogunjobi-Gold-Cup-14th-Edition-Champions.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Adesanya, Taiwo (2025-07-30). "NLO: Grassrunners FC appoint Agoye new head coach" (in en-US). https://dailypost.ng/2025/07/30/nlo-grassrunners-fc-appoint-agoye-new-head-coach/.
- ↑ Adesanya, Taiwo (2024-08-26). "Paul Offor joins new club after Kano Pillars exit" (in en-US). https://dailypost.ng/2024/08/26/paul-offor-joins-new-club-after-kano-pillars-exit/.
- ↑ "Grassrunners FC Appoints Edith Agoye as New Head Coach | Africa Sport Network". https://www.africasport.net/news/grassrunners-fc-appoints-former-shooting-stars-boss-edith-agoye-as-head-coach.
- ↑ "N-Youth League Cup" (in en). https://nylc.ng/.
- ↑ Akinbo, Peter (2026-06-05). "Sporting Supreme pocket N40m after N-YLC triumph" (in en-US). https://punchng.com/sporting-supreme-pocket-n40m-after-n-ylc-triumph/.
- ↑ I, Admin (2026-06-02). "Sporting Supreme pip Grassrunners to win" (in en-US). Blueprint (Abuja, Nigeria). https://blueprint.ng/sporting-supreme-pip-grassrunners-to-win/.
- ↑ "Grassrunners Football Club Squad". https://www.nylc.ng/club/110/grassrunners-football-club-1/squad.
Club products
Grassrunners has developed a number of players who have subsequently moved to clubs outside Nigeria. One of the most notable transfers was Angelo Hountondji Agbejoye, who joined Swedish club Djurgårdens IF in June 2026 on a five-year contract.
Djurgården announced that the Grassrunners FC product and right winger has signed a contract that extends over five years.[1]
Other players associated with Grassrunners FC who have moved to foreign leagues are Emmanuel Chukwu and Benjamin Precious, who moved to TSG Hoffenheim.[2]
Other Club Products
| Emmanuel Chukwu | TSG Hoffenheim, on loan to SC Austria Lustenau[3][4] |
| Benjamin Precious | TSG Hoffenheim, on loan to SCR ALTACH[5] |
| Agbejoye Angelo | Djurgårdens IF Fotboll[6] |
| Saidu Musa Bangura | Schwarz-Weiß Bregenz |
| Otugo Chisom David | Schwarz-Weiß Bregenz |
| Lendambi Bonaventure | Schwarz-Weiß Bregenz |
| Abdu Omari Mandeke | Riga FC |
| Godwin Rapheal Itotomi | Stade Reims[7] |
| Adesanya Boluwatife Ibukunoluwa | National Bank of Egypt SC |
| Labode Razak | ENPPI SC |
| Taofeek Abdullah Oluwasegun | Hartford Athletic |
Management & Technical Personnel
Gbenga Agbejoye serves as the club's Chief Executive Officer, while Victor Adeola is the Executive Director and Bastian Sistemich the Technical Director.
Daniel Itodo who is the team's Head Coach was in charge of the team during its 2026 Ogunjobi Gold Cup campaign, guiding Grassrunners through to win the tournament in its debut appearance at the competition.[8][9]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| CEO | Gbenga Agbejoye |
| Executive Director | Victor Adeola |
| Technical Director | Bastian Sistemich |
| Academy Director | Edith Agoye |
| Head Coach | Daniel Itodo |
| Operations Manager | Pere Brownsford |
References
- ↑ "Välkommen till Djurgården, Angelo Agbejoye!" (in sv). https://www.dif.se/nyheter/2026/valkommen-till-djurgarden-angelo-agbejoye.
- ↑ "Two promising Nigerians Chukwu and Benjamin join Akpoguma at Hoffenheim - Soccernet NG" (in en-NG). 2025-02-08. https://soccernet.ng/2025/02/two-promising-nigerians-chukwu-and-benjamin-join-akpoguma-at-hoffenheim.html.
- ↑ Oyebola, Mike (2026-06-20). "Transfer: Chukwu completes loan switch to Austrian club, Lustenau" (in en-US). https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/20/transfer-chukwu-completes-loan-switch-to-austrian-club-lustenau/.
- ↑ Hoffenheim, TSG 1899. "TSG loan Emmanuel Chukwu to Wolfsberger AC" (in en-US). https://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/en/news/overview/2025/08/tsg-loan-emmanuel-chukwu-to-wolfsberger-ac.
- ↑ Hoffenheim, TSG 1899. "Precious Benjamin moves on loan to SCR Altach until the end of the season" (in en-US). https://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/en/news/overview/2026/01/precious-benjamin-bis-saisonende-zum-scr-altach-verliehen.
- ↑ Areo, Samuel (2026-06-23). "Transfer: Djurgården announce Angelo Agbejoye signing" (in en-GB). https://www.aclsports.com/transfer-djurgarden-announce-angelo-agbejoye-signing/.
- ↑ "Stade de Reims sign 18-year-old Nigerian defender - Soccernet NG" (in en-NG). 2026-08-05. https://soccernet.ng/2026/08/stade-de-reims-nigeria.html.
- ↑ "How Coach Itodo Is Turning Grassrunners FC Into a Winning Machine" (in en-US). 2026-08-24. https://sportivationng.com/how-coach-itodo-is-turning-grassrunners-fc-into-a-winning-machine/.
- ↑ Fasetire, Sam O'Femi (2026-08-24). "Grassrunners FC's Coach Daniel Itodo Dedicates Ogunjobi Gold Cup Victory To His 'Hardworking Players'" (in en-US). https://www.sports247.ng/grassrunners-fcs-coach-daniel-itodo-dedicates-ogunjobi-gold-cup-victory-to-his-hardworking-players/.